ZnO and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and CQDs were doped into ZnO by a grinding method to fabricate a ZnO/CQDs composite. The X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscope revealed that the as-prepared ZnO has a structure of wurtzite hexagonal ZnO and a morphology of a flower-like microsphere which can provide more surface areas to adsorbed gases. The ZnO/CQDs composite has a higher gas sensitivity response to NO gas than ZnO microspheres. A gas sensitivity test of the ZnO/CQDs composite showed that the sensor had a high NO response (238 for 100 ppm NO) and NO selectivity. The detection limit of the ZnO/CQDs composite to NO was 100 ppb and the response and recovery times were 34 and 36 s, respectively. The active functional group provided by CQDs has a significant effect on NO gas sensitivity, and the gas sensitivity mechanism of the ZnO/CQDs composite is discussed.
Keywords: NO; ZnO; carbon quantum dots; gas sensors.